Flavor File: Meat Week Returns, Mardi Gras Parties and More

Stop reading now vegetarian and vegan readers — it's time for Meat Week San Antonio. The fourth local iteration of this nationwide celebration of all things carnivorous is back starting January 31 at 2:30 p.m. with a kickoff party at the new B-Daddy's BBQ (14434 Old Bandera Road, Helotes). The week will also include stops at Harmon's Barbecue (100 S. Main St., Universal City) Monday at 6:30 p.m.; followed by dinner at newly opened Burnt Ends (1725 Blanco Road) on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday dinner at Southside Bar B Que (6020 S. Flores St.) at 6:30 p.m.; a stop at Dignowity Meats (1701 E. Houston St.), which recently opened for dinner, on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.; and Kings Hwy Brew & Q (1012 N. Flores St.) helmed by Emilio Soliz, formerly of Sweet Christie's BBQ truck on Friday at 6:30 p.m. The weekend ends with parties at The Point Park & Eats (24188 Boerne Stage Road) with Señor Pinky's food truck Saturday at noon and a Super Bowl party on Sunday, February 7 at 3 p.m. at Alamo Ice House Brew & BBQ. Meat up (pun intended, of course) with the group for specials and meat-loving camaraderie.

Mardi Gras is almost upon us and you can start celebrating Thursday, February 4 at 5 p.m. with The Friendly Spot Ice House (943 S. Alamo St.) as they host a pint night with Abita Brewing Company, based out of Louisiana. Visit with reps from the brewery and sign up for a chance to win a Mardi Gras experience in 2017.

Finally, Austin Food + Wine Festival announced its talent lineup for the April 22-24 dates and it's a good one. Along with the likes of Andrew Zimmern (Bizarre Foods), Hugh Acheson (Top Chef) and Graham Elliot (MasterChef), the 2016 chefs include dozens of kitchen luminaries from across the U.S. and Texas. San Antonio will have a handful of chefs representing our fair city, including Jason Dady (Jason Dady Restaurant Group), Jeff Balfour (Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery), John Brand (Supper at Hotel Emma), Luis Colon (Folc), Diego Galicia and Rico Torres (Mixtli), and Steve McHugh (Cured). Ticket prices vary, so visit austinfoodandwinefestival.com for more info.